Report: Cape Cod has challenges amid economic woes

BOSTON — Cape Cod and nearby islands were hit the hardest by the national economic downturn when compared with other Massachusetts area and the region continues to endure the slowest recovery so far.

That's according to research released Tuesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the state Executive office of Labor and Workforce Development. The "Labor Market Trends in the Cape & Islands Region" report shows that the economic downturn fueled the departure of immigrants and younger workers.

The region started the decade with the oldest labor force in the state, with those 45 years and older accounting for 56 percent of civilian workers in 2008-10. Those aged 16 and 34 account for 23 percent of workers and nearly 33 percent of the unemployed.

People leaving for higher education don't return because of lack of affordable housing.